Ulster Museum commemorates bicentenary of the Act of Union

Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers and Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey were just some of the guests at a recent series of commemorative lectures celebrating the bicentenary of the Act of Union.

Held in the City Hall, Belfast, the lectures aimed to emphasise that all aspects of Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage should be enjoyed by everyone.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has staged a number of exhibitions throughout the province to commemorate the signing of the Act of Union, which happened in 1801, and to enable people to learn more about the political, social and economic climate which prevailed at the time the Act was signed.

Mr McGimpsey said that he would encourage people to visit the main Act of Union exhibition currently on show at the Ulster Museum, describing it as “an enlightening experience".

He said: "A full understanding of our history is important in multi-cultural 21st century Northern Ireland. In order to see where we are going in the future, it is essential that we all have an accurate grasp of where we have come from and how we reached where we are today. I believe that such education can also contribute to reconciliation and help to bring our communities closer together so that everyone can enjoy all aspects of our shared cultural heritage.”

The main exhibition at the Ulster Museum runs until the end of the year. Among the exhibits on show are the original copy of the Irish Act of Union and the mace of the Irish House of Commons.

In addition, a travelling exhibition is touring the province, and is showing at Mount Stewart until 23 September. At the end of October it will go on display for two weeks in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster before returning to Northern Ireland to tour towns around the Province. These will include Bangor, Coleraine and Newry. (CL)